In his glorious life, he rarely encountered the opportunity to be humiliated. But last time in the Victory Palace, the academy student in front of him and his little maid humiliated him twice in succession. At least in his opinion, it was humiliation.
, so it was impossible for him to forget the other person. In the car, he even admitted that his Taoist heart was a little uncertain because of this, and he hated this person very much.
Because of his disgust, he asked his subordinates from the Adjudication Department to investigate Ning Que afterwards. However, the results of the investigation made him a little disappointed. This academy student was really just a loser who only used words to make money. He was unable to practice and could never be his opponent.
.Since he is not qualified to be his opponent, he thinks that there is no need to remember such a person.
As he climbed the stairs today, Prince Longqing imagined what kind of competitors he might encounter, such as the young monk who obviously came from an unknown place, such as the young swordsman from the Southern Jin Dynasty. He even imagined that there might be hidden secrets in the academy.
He was a backup move, but he never thought that the person who came out of the fog behind him was Ning Que.
He looked at Ning Que's face in silence and smiled with an unclear meaning.
Ning Que saw that he had no intention of eating the cake, so he took his hand back and said with a smile: "Don't be too surprised, this is not an illusion."
At this moment, two pieces of emerald green bamboo slowly floated over under the starlight, hovering in front of them as if they were alive, and the voice of the second senior brother of the Academy sounded again from under the green trees.
"The stubborn rock at the end of the mountain path is the peak of the mountain. Whoever climbs it first can enter the second floor of the academy. However, I must remind you that those short ten steps of stone steps are more difficult than all the tests you have experienced before. If
If you hold on forcefully, it is very likely to cause serious and irreversible damage to your body and mind."
"You hold two pieces of green bamboo in your hands. If you feel you can't hold it later, crush it."
Prince Longqing and Ning Que bowed their hands under the green tree, reached into the air and took off the green bamboo pieces, and then walked forward.
The two walked side by side. Prince Longqing showed no expression on his face, and his steps did not speed up at all. He allowed Ning Que to walk beside him while chewing cakes, waiting for him to admit that he was qualified to walk side by side with him.
"Actually, I envy you."
Ning Que looked at the prince's perfect side face, wiped the pastry crumbs in his hands onto the hem of his clothes, shrugged and said: "You have a good background, good talent, good fate, and you have a nymphomaniac partner that the world envies, like me.
With a bad background, bad talent, and a bad fate, there is always only a little black-headed guy next to you. It is really hard to be like you."
When the two of them walked under the boulder and stood in front of the two steep and narrow paths on the left and right, Prince Longqing suddenly turned to look at him and said calmly: "You gave me a lot of surprises. If I had known this, I shouldn't have waited.
you."
After saying this, Prince Longqing did not hesitate at all, lifted up the front of his clothes and stepped onto the stone path.
Ning Que stared blankly at the entrance of the stone path, with countless waves in his heart. As a guy who has struggled at the bottom of life and death for many years, he knew very well that only when a strong and proud person says such words can he become truly terrifying.
The two last climbers began to climb the huge rock hanging on the top of the mountain behind the academy, and their figures suddenly disappeared.
Under the big green tree at the far end of the grassland, many figures suddenly appeared. They gathered around and pointed at the rocks and whispered. These figures were male and female, sitting or standing. I counted exactly twelve of them.
Someone is carrying a three-stringed guqin on his back, someone is carrying a chessboard under his arm, someone is holding an ancient flute in front of his knees, someone is holding a tight embroidery frame in his hand, and the other is holding a thin missing piece between his fingers.
Needle.
There was also a strong man standing behind the tree holding a very heavy hammer in his hand. While others were discussing, the strong man was staring at the strange and high ancient crown on the head of the second senior brother under the tree, his eyes full of eagerness.
of burning heat.
Chen Pipi came out from behind the tree. He was startled when he saw the strong man in his eyes. He quickly stopped him and said, "Sixth Brother, if you really hit me with a hammer, Second Brother's hat might fall flat, but your head will also fall off."
It’s very likely to fall flat.”
The second senior brother who was sitting cross-legged under the green tree snorted coldly and slowly turned his head.
The sixth senior brother put the hammer behind him as quickly as possible, showed a very honest smile, and explained: "Senior brother, you know, I feel very itchy if I don't hit the iron for a day.
I can’t stand it anymore. If you don’t see this hat on your head, it’s like looking at the iron ingots by the stove and always thinking about hitting them with a hammer.”
This explanation was really incomprehensible and absurd to the extreme. However, the second senior brother nodded, indicating that he accepted the explanation, waved his hand and said calmly: "It won't take long before there will be results."
Yu Lian, a female professor from the academy, was also at the top of the mountain. She seemed to have deliberately kept a distance from the other eleven people, standing far away in a flower garden behind the trees, watching the discussions of her classmates with a quiet smile on her face.
The middle-aged man with the ancient flute on his lap looked at the boulder on the edge of the cliff that seemed to be crumbling, but was actually a huge stone that had not shaken even after thousands of years of wind and rain. He said with emotion: "Today, Prince Longqing is still the most powerful.
, the number two figure in the Adjudication Department of Xiling Temple, he should not be underestimated, if nothing else happens, he may be our junior brother."
Hearing the words "Judgment Department of Xiling Temple", everyone under the tree looked at Chen Pipi.
There was a rare look of embarrassment on Chen Pipi's plump face, and he waved his hand and explained: "I have never been to the temple, and I recognize Yuan's voice.
He didn't know who the voice belonged to, but he knew what the voice said was true.
"Absolute light is absolute darkness."
Prince Longqing was silent for a long time, and then he pressed his hand on the huge golden flower on his chest. In an instant, the huge golden flower quickly shrank and turned into a golden sword.
He roared in pain, pulled the golden sword out of his chest with difficulty, and looked around in confusion.
In a blur, he could vaguely see a few insubstantial faces floating on the horizon.
It's the man with the wooden sword on his back.
It's the woman in the red dress.
It is the beloved woman who fell under the flower tree.
Three insubstantial faces looked at him indifferently, as if wanting to see what choice he would make.
There is light everywhere and darkness everywhere.
Taking a step forward will lead you into the light and continue your fight, but that is light...
Prince Longqing stood trembling in the golden desert, his expression contorted in pain, and his whole body was soaked with sweat.
He lowered his head and looked at his left hand, looking at the emerald green bamboo that seemed to be the source of life.
Many people in the wilderness suddenly disappeared.
Ning Que looked at the familiar face of the old steward in front of him, then squatted down and stared at the face of his childhood playmate. After looking at it for a long time, he suddenly raised his head and shouted dissatisfiedly at the tall man: "I still don't want to
Understand why you must make a choice."
The tall man said to him behind his back: "I said it was just a casual discussion, why are you so serious."
Ning Que stood up, the frost falling from his body, and said, "I don't choose."
The tall man replied: "Sometimes there are always things worth sacrificing. Sacrifice is a choice."
Ning Que shook his head and said, "I didn't do anything wrong, why should I sacrifice myself?"
The tall man asked in surprise: "Don't you have anyone or something you are willing to sacrifice for?"
Ning Que frowned and thought for a long time, then hesitantly replied: "It seems not."
The tall man said: "But you made a choice a long time ago."
Ning Que looked at the old steward and childhood friend beside him and said, "That's sacrificing others."
"Sacrificing others is also a choice."
Ning Que admitted: "Yes."
The tall man hung the remaining half of the pig's hind leg back on the butcher's back and said, "Then you choose again."
Night is still night.
The temperature is still dropping little by little.
Ning Que looked at the approaching darkness with bewilderment, but suddenly looked back at the sudden light behind the clouds, feeling the endless pressure coming from inside, his body was occupied by an unprecedented fear, and the frost on his clothes
Gradually condensed into armor.
He didn't know which direction he should choose.
He stood alone between heaven and earth, looking so small.
The old steward and his childhood playmate stood in front of him, their eyes touching each other through the transparent ice.
He clenched the emerald green bamboo piece in his hand.
In the front yard of the academy, everyone was silently waiting for the final result of the mountain climbing. At this time, no one would talk about the academy student named Ning Que in a sarcastic tone, because he had already proved himself with facts.
The sound of hoofbeats like a shower broke the oppressive silence of the academy. Yan Se and Sang Sang walked down expressionlessly. Those who recognized his identity were suddenly startled and stood up to greet him. This was the strongest in the South Gate of Haotian.
The largest enshrined person even has his own exclusive seat on the Xiling Temple. His status is far higher than that of Mo Li, the vice president of Tianyu Academy. Who dares to show any slightest indifference.
The teachers and students in the academy also guessed the identity of this wretched old man. They looked at each other in surprise and whispered, wondering why this big shot suddenly came to the academy so late at night and at the critical moment of climbing to the second floor.
No one, including Prince Li Peiyan and Princess Li Yu, knew the purpose of Yan Se's trip. Of course, Yan Se would not be stupid enough to explain the reason to everyone. After the ceremony was completed one by one, Yan Se sat in silence with everyone who deserved his greetings.
After getting into the chair, he closed his eyes and began to rest his mind. His skinny palms brushed against the back of the chair from time to time, showing a slight trace of nervousness.
Although everyone was curious about why this aloof Talisman Master came, since he didn't say anything, no one could ask. After a moment of silence, some people began to whisper about the movement on the top of the mountain.
Most people were amazed that Ning Que had hidden such a powerful strength, but they still firmly believed that the one who could win the final victory and successfully enter the second floor of the academy must be Prince Longqing.
As a Talisman Master, Yan Se has such a high level. No matter how quiet the discussion is, he can hear it clearly. He thinks that Ning Que really wants to enter the second floor, and even takes just one step to get there.
If he wants to enter the second floor, then the heir he has been searching for for half his life will become a shadow in the mirror, and he can't help but feel extremely bad.
At this moment, Priest Mo Li said calmly: "I in the Xiling lineage never think that the prince will lose to anyone."
"I know a lot about this little guy Ning Que. If you want to talk about heresy, he is indeed quite good, but if you want a second floor..." Yan Se slapped the table heavily and shouted sternly: "That is absolutely impossible!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked. They all thought that the South Gate of Haotian in the Tang Dynasty had always been at peace with the Xiling Temple. It could even be said that they were divorced from each other. Why did Yan Se stand on the side of the Xiling Temple tonight before such an important matter?
?You know that this is the senior fellow of the Tang Dynasty National Preceptor, does his statement have any important meaning?
Yan Se never thought that his true words would arouse many speculations. He tugged at his beard angrily and refused to express any more opinions. Prince Li Peiyan looked at the old Taoist beside him and frowned, thinking, could it be the emperor's brother?
The palace knew that Ning Que was a variable in the opening of the second floor today, so they sent Yan Se over to express their attitude?
At this moment, another carriage drove in quickly, and the people who got out of the carriage caused a lot of discussion.
Li Yu looked at the kind-hearted eunuch manager, frowned and asked, "Old Lintou, what are you doing here?"
The deputy chief eunuch of the Tang Dynasty Palace smiled humbly and said: "Your Majesty, I am here to take a look at your Majesty's order."
Li Yu waved for him to come forward and asked in a low voice: "What kind of mystery is this?"
Eunuch Lin lowered his eyebrows and said softly: "Your Majesty wanted to see someone, so he asked this servant to wait here."
"Who do you want to see, father?" Li Yu asked in surprise.
Eunuch Lin smiled and said, "An academy student named Ning Que."
After saying this, Eunuch Lin saw Yan Se sitting next to him, his expression suddenly turned cold and he said, "Master Yan, I don't know why you are here?"
Yan Se glared at him angrily and said, "Where am I going and need to report to you?"
Eunuch Lin said with a deadpan smile: "I am just a eunuch, how can I control where a Talisman Master goes? It's just that Your Majesty has something you want me to bring to you. Your Majesty said it, Master National Preceptor more than ten years ago
I defrauded him of hundreds of taels of silver by telling fortunes outside Xiangfang, and now the National Preceptor dares to conceal the talent that Your Majesty admires. Your Majesty will wait for your Nanmen to explain this matter."
Yan Se was stunned when he heard this, and then was extremely shocked. He thought to himself, could it be that His Majesty also knew about Ning Que's ability and wanted to compete with him for his apprentice? What should he do? Now he might have to compete with the academy.
People have already caused him great embarrassment, why should he have another round of competition with the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty? The junior brother said that he can deal with it casually, can this casualty also include His Majesty?
Everyone in the venue was looking at the two big figures who had suddenly arrived. Naturally, there was no need to mention the Talisman Master Yan Se. Eunuch Lin was His Majesty’s most trusted eunuch chief. At this time, he actually came here with His Majesty’s orders.
, what does it mean?
Sang Sang followed Yan Se into the academy, and no one noticed her at all. At some point, she left the front terrace and quietly walked toward the back along the alley between the academy buildings.
She walked through the wetland, the old academy with all the lights out, the dense woods, and the rarely visited meadow. While looking at the scenery of the academy, she talked with Ning Que about his daily life.
Doing the comparison, I feel calm and warm.
Finally walking into a forest of swords, she held on to the smooth tree trunk, raised her head and squinted her willow-leaf eyes to look at the treetops with a few strings of sparse leaves hanging very high up, then she chose a piece of cleaner ground and sat down.
Holding a big black umbrella in her arms, she looked up at the top of the mountain.
The clouds and fog in the mountains were still extremely thick, and it was impossible to see through them to the top of the mountain, but Sangsang leaned against the tree trunk, holding a big black umbrella, and watched quietly, because she knew that the young master was at the top of the mountain at this time, going through the most difficult time.
A crucial test.
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in from outside the sword forest, bringing up countless grass clippings and gravels, hitting the tree trunks with a crackling sound, and even lifting the bark. Sangsang hid behind the tree in fear.
, opened a big black umbrella to cover his thin body.
Outside the dirty and old big black umbrella, the strong wind continued to rage around the sword forest. The gravel hit the umbrella like arrows, making a loud banging sound, which was as exciting as a war drum and extremely tragic.
In the strong wind, more than a dozen trees in the sword forest were uprooted, flying into the deep night sky with the soil.
Like a dozen swords stabbing into the night sky.
Splashed with black blood.
On the Wanyan Pagoda in Chang'an City.
Imperial Master Li Qingshan looked at Monk Huang Yang and laughed and said: "A monk came from the west today..."
Monk Huang Yang smiled and said: "The Love Monk's enlightenment will not make you so happy. You seem to be in a very good mood today. Can you tell me why?"
Li Qingshan stood up, flicked his Taoist sleeves and said with emotion: "After tonight, our Haotian South Gate will have an additional young genius. In more than ten years, our South Gate will have an additional Talisman Master. You
Is this worthy of joy?"
Monk Huang Yang clasped his hands together and sincerely praised: "It's like this, it's really gratifying."
Suddenly, Li Qingshan's expression suddenly changed. He walked quickly to the tower and looked at the quiet night sky in the south. His right hand hanging outside his sleeve trembled, and his fingertips kept flexing and stretching to calculate.
Monk Huang Yang walked up to him, looked over there in confusion, and said, "Why did the opening of the second floor make so much noise this time?"
Li Qingshan stood as stiff as a log and said with a gloomy expression: "I can't get it...Master, it's really as high as several floors."
The strong wind that swept through the sword forest in the academy was limited to a very small area and miraculously did not affect the surrounding environment. Except for the second senior brother on the top of the mountain and the Talisman Master Yan Se in Qianping, there were only national masters Li Qingshan and Huang Yang.
Great practitioners such as monks who have reached the realm of knowing destiny can sense it.
The people in Chang'an City had no idea about this. It was dark at this time, and most people had fallen asleep. A few blood stains gradually appeared on the gray wall facing Alley 47. The Chunfeng Pavilion had just been restored.
The sewage in the sewer suddenly took on a blood-red sheen. In the backyards of Linhu Xiaozhu and Dongcheng Blacksmith Shop, in the dilapidated stone lions outside the former General's Mansion and in the woodshed of Zeng Jing's Master's Mansion, those blood stains over the years gradually appeared, and then
Quickly annihilated.
Before the boundless pressure of light, Prince Longqing crushed the green bamboo pieces. Then he looked up expressionlessly and found that he was still standing on the top of the mountain behind the academy, standing under the huge boulder on the edge of the cliff.
Never took a step on the stone path.
The night wind blew his clothes and quickly dispersed the sweat. He was silent for a long time, took a few steps back toward the lawn, then looked up again at the boulder on the cliffside, and found that there was no trace of anyone there.
In the cold wasteland, Ning Que seemed to feel something. He said expressionlessly to the tall man, to the steward and childhood playmate in front of him, and to the light and darkness in the sky: "You all know, this kind of
The choice was not difficult for me.”
As he spoke, the ice on his lips cracked and fell. He blinked, and the transparent ice flakes that blocked his vision burst into pieces. He raised his right hand, and more frost armor fell off his clothes.
Then he threw away the green bamboo chopsticks in his hand, grasped the long knife again, and swung it calmly.
Many years later, he once again killed his old steward and childhood friend.
"My umbrella is black."
"Her face is dark."
"Growing up, everything I did was black."
"But that doesn't mean I think I'm wrong."
"Since I didn't make any mistakes, I don't need to admit my mistakes, let alone atone for my sins."
Ning Que looked at the increasingly bright light behind the clouds, feeling the increasingly powerful pressure there, and said, "Even if you think I'm wrong, I don't care, because what you think has nothing to do with me.
?”
He spat hard at his feet, put the long knife on his shoulder, and walked towards the dark night on the other side of the wasteland without hesitation.
The tall man looked at his back and remained silent.
Walking into the dark night, you walked into the starlight.
Ning Que stood on the boulder on the edge of the cliff, standing on the highest point of the mountain behind the academy, looking calmly at the scenery in front of him. The starlight from the stars on the night sky fell on the slowly flowing clouds in the sky under his feet, shining brightly all around him.
It's like daylight.
Although it was still late at night.
He turned back and glanced at Prince Longqing, who was standing far away under the stone, without saying anything. He turned back and continued to gaze obsessively at the thousands of years of starlight and cliffs in front of him, as well as the momentary starlight and flowing clouds.
Only by climbing to the top can you see such beautiful scenery.
"The world is flat."
He raised his head and looked into the distance. He saw the edge of the world under the stars, and could faintly see the peaks of the mountains breaking through the clouds. He didn't know if it was Min Mountain or some other mountain.
After seventeen years of wandering around and seeing each other in life and death, we finally came to this moment. How could we not think about it so much?
In an instant, Ning Que thought of a lot of the past, and of many years that he had repeated on the mountain road. However, when he finally said these many emotions, he only condensed them into the most sincere and simple sentence,
Looking at the breathtaking scenery that was indescribable in words, Ning Que laughed, his body shaking with laughter, tears streaming down his face, and his voice trembling with laughter. Then he wiped away his tears and snot and said seriously: "It's really fucking